- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
The UC Learning Center is the web-based Learning Management System (LMS) tool used across the University of California. Over the years, UC ANR employees have used multiple campuses to access the UC Learning Center, making it difficult for UC ANR to track and create our own training materials.
UC ANR will be implementing our own UC ANR UC Learning Center domain, similar to the campuses to access and use training activity, which will allow for the continued access to those critical campus-based trainings.
“As we move closer to the implementation dates in spring, we will share more information, links and FAQs,” said Bethanie Brown, Human Resources director. “We wanted to reach out early to ensure all employees were aware of this exciting news!”
Users can register for training activities, access online materials and view transcripts through the UC Learning Center. As a benefit, employees will be able to access other campus trainings based on ongoing local agreements.
Feel free to contact humanresources@ucanr.edu with any questions or feedback.
- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
Informatics and GIS is offering a new series of online training for ArcGIS tools for spring 2021. The workshops will include introductions to:
- ArcGIS Online, for creating interactive web maps (Feb. 26)
- ArcGIS Field Maps, for mobile data collection (March 19)
- ArcGIS Story Maps, for creating eye-catching online stories and tours, supported by web maps and other visual content (April 2)
Please visit the IGIS training page, http://igis.ucanr.edu/Training/, for more information and to register for these new and exciting workshops.
- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
The UC President's Advisory Commission met Dec. 14 via Zoom as coronavirus precautions continued to discourage travel.
“It's the beginning of a new phase,” said President Drake, announcing that the first coronavirus vaccines would be arriving at UC medical centers the next day. Acknowledging that the pandemic has created challenges for everyone, Drake urged everyone to protect themselves as they continue to perform critically important activities for Californians.
In her update on UC ANR activities, VP Glenda Humiston announced that she and AVP Wendy Powers have accepted leadership roles in the Association of Public Land-grant Universities (APLU). Humiston is chair of the Budget and Legislative Committee for the Experiment Station Council on Policy (ESCOP) and Powers is chair-elect of the Extension Council on Policy (ECOP).
Humiston also briefed PAC members on the 2020 California Economic Summit that was held online Dec. 3-4. The statewide conference focused on improving economic prosperity, environmental sustainability, and social equity. Humiston spoke about the benefits to California of investing in wildfire reduction and forest restoration work.
Dan Sanchez, UC Cooperative Extension specialist at UC Berkeley, gave PAC members a presentation on how UC ANR and partners collaborate to advance forest health, reduce fire risk and develop jobs and economic growth with high-value products from biomass.
During a report from the ANR Governing Council, UC Riverside Chancellor Kim Wilcox, who is chair of the council, encouraged more collaboration between UC ANR and campuses. He suggested climate change as a subject for connecting UC ANR and campus expertise.
Humiston noted that she and Powers recently gave a presentation about UC ANR to UC vice chancellors of research, who expressed interest in working with UC ANR and Powers has been meeting with them regularly.
Continuing with the natural resources theme, Ish Herrera, California Forward director of regional stewardship, gave a presentation on wood products and Eric Holst, Environmental Defense Fund associate vice president for working lands, gave presentations on forest management. Both see roles for UC ANR.
Herrera suggested UC could use wood products in building projects to create more of a market for trees removed to thin forests.
Fire management in forest ecosystems is one of more pressing issues in the state and ANR's interdisciplinary expertise makes it the “right organization, right time,” Holst said.
Deans gave reports on the School of Veterinary Medicine and the three Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) colleges affiliated with UC ANR.
In wrapping up the meeting, Drake lauded the group for “big thinking” and “broad thinking” to lift up society.
The PAC will meet again on March 22 via Zoom.
- Author: Mark Bell
Unify-Communicate-Advocate
The Strategic Initiatives offer a home for strategic thought - drawing on members of the wider UC ANR community and beyond to identify and address issues of current and emerging importance.
1. Strategic Themes
With the new year, we welcome input on Strategic Themes that are emerging or that offer expanded opportunities to make a difference in 2021.
For example, we are greeted this year with a growing need and mandate to build health and wellness in communities. Please think about how your work does and could play a growing role to strengthen the health and well-being of your colleagues and communities - and please share if you see opportunities.
Visit the Strategic Themes to explore topics and opportunities being developed.
Our growing number of 2-page concept notes highlights existing and emerging opportunities and needs:
- Fire Concept Note Fire Advisors Network (draft) - Kudos to Yana and others for their work on this concept paper
- Food Systems Concept Note Food Systems (draft) - Concepts here are emerging in part from the Food Systems Spotlight Webinar series led by Deanne Meyer and Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty
- Urban extension/DEI Concept Note Building California's Urban Community (draft) - This and associated initiatives are benefiting from input by Keith Nathaniel and Frank McPherson
- Extension of the Future Concept Note Building California's Urban Community (draft) and Concept Note Working Cross-state and Cross-institute (draft) - These are the latest as discussion evolves on opportunities to grow our presence throughout the state and across state lines. What could post-COVID tertiary education look like? What could be the role of UC ANR (re: working with community colleges, CSUs, UCs, internships…)? What other Funding & Incomes models are there?
- Health Concept Note Health Resilience Network (draft) and Prop 63 - Mental Health Services Act (draft)
- DEI. The Program Teams recently provided input on some of what is happening in relation to DEI in our programmatic work. We are seeing growth in the number of DEI (and Justice) related initiatives. The SIs will be looking at how we can help build synergies and a shared vision.
- Reach. We will be looking more at how we help people feed in to the Integrated Web Platform.
2. Sustainable Natural Ecosystems (SNE) needs representation!
For those working in SNE, we want to make sure your needs are represented in the Strategic Initiatives and Program Council. Note: Recognizing people are busy, there is the potential to split responsibilities and you can sit on the SIs while a colleague represents SNE on Program Council.
If interested to explore the option, please reach out to Mark Bell or one of the other SI leaders.
For more on the SIs and their activities, contact
Jim Farrar: Pests (EIPD)
OPEN: Natural Ecosystems (SNE)
David Lewis: (Water)
Deanne Meyer: Food Systems (SFS)
Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty: Families and Communities (HFC)
Mark Bell: Vice Provost (Strategic Initiatives and Statewide Programs)
- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
The ANR Strategic Plan accomplishments for Fall 2020 and Winter 2021 have been posted at https://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/2016-2020_Strategic_Plan/Strategic_Plan_Accomplishments.
The 2016 ANR Strategic Plan, which was refreshed in December 2020, focuses on four key areas: conducting relevant programming, employing top talent and supporting volunteers, increasing resources for programming, and enhancing research and extension facilities.
The plan is designed to position the UC ANR organization to achieve its vision of improving the lives of every Californian through our research and extension. Successes of strategic plan work are intended to support the research and extension efforts.
